World War II. The 99th was originally formed as the U.S. Army Air Forces’ first African American fighter squadron, then known the 99th Pursuit Squadron. The personnel received their initial flight training at Tuskegee, Alabama earning them the nickname Tuskegee Airmen.
At the time of its initial deployment in April 1943, the 99th was redesignated as the 99th Fighter Squadron and it was flying Curtiss P-40 fighters from its base in North Africa. Its first combat mission, the bombing and strafing of Pantelleria, was part of Operation Corkscrew. The squadron would go on to support the invasion of Sicily.
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